Circulating Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin is not associated with cardiovascular calcification or stiffness: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vitamin K-dependent protein (VKDP) activity may have a role in preventing cardiovascular calcification, but has not previously been studied in large, generally healthy populations.

METHODS: Using an elevated ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a measure of medial vascular calcification, we performed a case-cohort analysis within the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, measuring Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) to estimate VKDP activity. In secondary analyses of the weighted subcohort, we examined the cross-sectional associations between DCP and prevalent vascular calcification of the coronary vessels, aortic and mitral valves, and aortic wall, and with vascular stiffness.

RESULTS: In adjusted analysis, cases (n = 104) had 0.21 ng/ml (-0.94-0.52) lower DCP concentrations than the subcohort (n = 613). Furthermore, amongst the 717 participants in the weighted cohort, VKDP activity was not associated with coronary artery, mitral valve, aortic valve or aortic wall calcification, nor was it associated with vascular stiffness.

CONCLUSIONS: Our negative results do not support a role of circulating VKDP activity in cardiovascular calcification in community-dwelling adults.